Mcgill University
Founded through the far-sighted liberality of James
McGill, a merchant of Montreal, who in his will left his property of
Burnside and L10,000 to found the college. It was granted a royal
charter in 1820, and opened in 1829. The original bequest proving
insufficient to complete the college buildings, a further sum was given
by William Molson for that purpose. A new charter was obtained in 1852.
The period of greatest development of the university dates from 1855,
when J. W. Dawson was appointed principal. The university has been
fortunate in receiving generous bequests from wealthy citizens of
Montreal, notably from Peter Redpath, Sir W. C. Macdonald, and Lord
Strathcona. =Bib.=: Dawson, Historical Sketch of McGill University in
Canada: An Ency., vol. 4; Ency. Brit.; Ency. Amer.